The Pacific Northwest State offers a wide array of outdoor scenery and activities.
Welcome back to my column, “Road to 50,” where I will be detailing my experiences in various U.S. states as I try to reach the milestone of visiting all 50. The 3rd state I will cover is Oregon, which I feel is often underrated compared to its neighbors Washington and California. However, Oregon contains just as much adventures and sightseeing, and here are my favorite parts about the Beaver State:
Coast
Like I previously mentioned before about Washington’s coast, Oregon’s is equally sparse. However, it is no less beautiful than the popular California coast, and the famous Highway 101 pierces through the coastline of Oregon north to south. There is a serenity of visiting the coast here because there are not flocks of tourists bombarding each place. I drove along the northern part of the coast, and it was quite tranquil. I walked to the top of viewpoints and took in the jagged cliffs and natural rock formations in the middle of the water. It was magnificent staring deep into the Pacific and at all the cliffs, with the only noise being the sounds of fierce waves crashing against the rocks several hundred feet below me. From visiting the historic town of Astoria, to the town of Seaside and its oceanfront promenade, to Cannon Beach’s famous Haystack Rock, each town was unique and made the drive worth it.
Portland
Though I feel Portland is not as recognized as other West Coast cities such as L.A., San Francisco, and Seattle, it still is quite charming. The city has some nice gardens and spectacular views of the vicinity without having to even stand atop a tower. With a drive to the top of Council Crest Park or taking a short tram ride, there is a rendezvous with stunning views of downtown, its vicinity, and mountains in the distance. Though my luck didn’t pan out because of a cloudy day, sunny days normally present views of Oregon’s Mount Hood, a volcano.
Columbia River Gorge
Encompassing a large chunk of land, this scenic area has famous waterfalls, viewpoints and river cruises, showcasing Oregon’s inland forest/mountain scenery. The waterfalls, specifically Multnomah Falls, was a natural marvel as it was one of the highest and prettiest waterfalls I have seen. The wonderful part about this waterfall was being able to stare at it from the parking lot and then only become more astonished as I approached it. That’s the thing about Oregon, getting the up-close and personal views made me realize the state is just as wonderful as its West Coast neighbors.
